Paradise Along the Schuylkill River

A local angler reels in a catfish, while a child climbs over a boulder to meet a friend on the other side.

A young couple shares a picnic, and families of all ages gather under the stars for movie night.

Welcome to Grays Ferry Crescent, a former industrial site that has been transformed into a popular park, trail, and greenway along the Schuylkill River in South Philadelphia.

The project was a collaboration involving the City of Philadelphia, the Schuylkill River Development Corporation (SRDC), and several other agencies and organizations. Money from the Keystone Fund enabled partners to raise the matching funds necessary to revitalize the abandoned space and turn it into a community asset.

The space provides bicycle and pedestrian trails, lawn areas for recreation and relaxation, and gorgeous meadows of native grasses and wildflowers.

The Grays Ferry Crescent also provides space for community events. The SRDC hosts free community movie nights on the greenway during the summer, where neighbors can connect with each other while enjoying a film under the stars.

The sweeping meadows are planted with drought-resistant native species to manage stormwater. The greenway and its amenities, including a paved riverfront esplanade, seating areas, and interpretive signs detailing the history and ecology of the area, are ADA accessible.

While the Grays Ferry Crescent is currently a standalone park and trail, it will eventually connect to other portions of the Schuylkill River Trail, forming an important part of the riverfront trail connection between historic Bartram’s Garden in South Philadelphia and Center City.

Fun Fact: In 2013, Philadelphia Magazine labeled Grays Ferry Crescent the "best Philly public park nobody knows about" because of its location and has been referred to by many as Philly’s most hidden gem.